Time-governed circuit-controlling mechanism



Jan. 14, 1930. w. c. M WHIRTER ET AL 1,743,153

TIME GOVERNED CIRCUIT CONTROLLING "ECHANISI I v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D60. 11. 1926 INVENTORSZ 1 n. C. Ma WhM-tcr; {II E .Spear,

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 14, I930. w. c. McWHlRTER ET AL TIIE 'sovsnunn cngcuxw CONTROLLING uscmmxsu Filed Dec. 9 6

x n mm f Ll- MUWIIII. I I M I 1 1 I S Q m wm Patented Jan. 14, 1930 Tum Ten stares WILLIAM G. MCWHIRTER, F WILKINSBURG, AND JAMES E. SPF-ER, OF PITTSBURGH, 'f PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF

PATENT OFFICE gi SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA,'A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA vas TIME-GOVERNED CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING MECHANISM Application filed December 11,1926. Serial 110. 154,291.

t Our invention relates to time governed circuit controlling mechanisms.

'u'More particularlyour invention relates to improvements in the clockwork time release mechanisms shown and described in United States Patent ,No. 992,236 issued to W. P. Neubert and W. S. McClelland, Jr., on May 16,1911.

Qne objectfof'our'invention is to provide a mechanismfwherein the time interval between the operation of different sets of contacts controlled by the mechanism may be varied by. means external to the enclosing casing of the mechanism.

We will describe two forms of mechanisms embodying our invention, and will then point out the novel features in claims.

. .lnthe accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is aside elevation, partly fin section, showing one form of mechanism embodying our invention. :FigI "2...is section taken on the line lllI'ofFig'. 1. .Fig. 3 is aplan view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2., Fig.,{1 is a detail-view of another portion of-the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Figs. 5 and 6 are side and front elevations, respectively, partly sectioned, of a modification of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Similar reference characters refer to similar partsin each of the several views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference character 5 designates a base plate upon which the various parts of the mechanism are mounted. Secured to the base plate by means-ofscrews 9 is a .plate 7. A second plate 6 is secured to plate 7.by means of studs8 and the parts of the clock-work mechanism, described in the patent mentioned above are mounted between theseplates. Since the parts of this mechanism form no part of our invention, wehave shown only the driving spring 11 one end of which is se cured to the inside of a spring-cagelO and the other endof which is secured'to a shaft 12. One end of shaft 12 is journaled in a recess 22 in the end of a second shaft 22 to which spring-cage 10 is secured. The other end of shaft 12 is secured in the base-plate 5. A bracket 13 secured to the base plate by means of screws 14 acts as a bearing for shaft 22. J ournaled in the upstanding end of the bracket 13 is a member 15 having a depending lug 17 integral therewith and also having a socket 21'therein. The member 15 is rotate ably mounted within the bracket 13 and may be actuated by means of a knob 38. The shaft 22 has one end journaled in the plate 6 while the other end fits into the socket 21 in member '15. Fixed to the shaft 22 by means of a pin 23 a sleeve 24, which carries an arm 25. The sleeve 24: has a reduced portion 24 with a conical surface against which is secured another sleeve 33 having a portion fitting the part 24 and held in place by a nut 34. The sleeve 33 carries an integral cam 31, an arm 26 and also twos'top members 32 and 46. The stop member 32 co-operates with h1g1? and also with a stop 19 which will be described hereinafter. The member 15 is reciprocable and has its longitudinal position defined by means of a ball ratchet 16 .which may engage either of two grooves 16 or 16 in member 15. When the knob 38 is rotated in a clock-wise direction (looking from right to left in Fig. 1) the lug 17 engages the lug 32 on sleeve 33 so that arms 25 and 26 and also cam 31 are rotated in a clock-wise direction. In its extreme position to the right, the arm 26 engages a stop 20 which is formed integral with the bracket 13 (Fig. 3), and when in the extreme left-hand position'the arm 25 engages a similar stop 18.

Mounted upon the bracket 13 and suitably 4 insulated therefrom are contacts 27-28 and 2930 which 'co-operate with arms 26 and 25, respectively, and may be connected to suitable electrical circuits by means of terminal posts 17. Secured to the plate 6 are two contact members 35 and 36 which ma be closed by means of, a-pivoted member 3 mounted in the path of ca-m31. The number of con tacts which we have shown is merely for the purpose of explanation and any suitable number of circuits may be controlled in any desired manner. The pressure of the contact arms 25 and 26 upon the contact springs is limited by means of the stops 18 and 20. Secured to the arm 26 is a pointer 35 which moves over a graduated dial 40 and indicates spring 45 urges the lateh 43irito such a posi-jtion that notch 44 and lug 46 engage to prevent rotation of sl1aft22. lVith the parts in 1 this position the lug 17 on member may engage thelatch 43 but is held a short distanceaway from the'stop19 so that when the handle38isturned in a'counter clockwise direction the lat h 43 will be disengagedfrom the lug 46. v

describing the operation of the mechaiiisin we.willassumetthatthe parts occupy the positions shownfmmhejdrawing, with the latch '43 engaging the log 46 and preventing rotation ofthe shaft 22 and its associated mechanism hythespri ng 11 which is under tension; lVhen release pf the mechanism is desired forj'the purpose of. opening contact 2 728 and-closing contact.3536 the knob 38 is turned slightly'tothe left forcingthe lug 17 on member 15 a'gainstthe latch 43 so that the" lug 46 on member-a3 is disengaged from the ;notch 44-, thus allowing arms and 26 and'cam to be rotated in a counter clock- 1 wise. direction hy spring 11, After a predetermined interval c'am 3liwill engage member 3.750 that contact ]36 iscl'osed. When the cam 31 reaches the memberi 37 the. 111g 17 will be between the stop'l and the lug 32 on sleeve 33 and will arrest the motion of shaft 22 as well as the arms25 and 26 and the cam 31. If it is now desired to wind the spring and return the parts to normal position, the knob 38 is turned in aclock-wise direction. The lug 17 engaging lug 32 will rotate cam 31 and arms 25 and 26 until arm 26 closes contact 2'?'28 and engages the stop 20. .In this posi tion latch 43 will again engage the lug 46to hold the parts at rest.

If it is desired to open the contact 2728 and after a time interval close the contact 2930, the knob 38 is moved outwardly so that ball ratchet 16 engages the groove 16 and the handle .is'turned slightly to the left to disengage the latch 43. The shaft 22 will now rotate in a counterfclocli-wise direction rotating arms 25 and-26 and the-cam 31. After a time intervalthe cam 31 will engage the member 37 closing contact 3536 but since the lug 17 has been pulled outwardly'it will not engage the lug 32 and therefore the parts will continue to rotate, the contact 35 36're1naining closed during the time in which cam '31 engages the member 37, and

- then opening as this cam'leaves the member ferent contacts may be varied to suit specific requirements by a proper proportionmg of lug 32 and cam 31 as well as by adjustment of s'leeve'33. 1 ,The mechanism iwe have described maybe termed the normally:woundv typepthat is, when the device is not in actual use the actuating springlis wound fipas" as any winding on the -part" oftheoperator is concerned. The contact 27 28 remains closed and the arm 26. engagesthe stopfiol The parts ar he1d .in disposition by' the engagement of latehegandlug 46.- Another type of mechanismwhieh is sometimes desirable is one infwliich thesprin'g'i's normally unwound and is set'in "operation winding the spring. A mechanismof' the latter type is shown 'in Figs. '5 and 6. V p

' In the mechanism 'hown in :Eigs. 5 and 6 the Co tact gs aeis c ntroiled by mama-5 secured. to sleeve {Sleevej24 also carries an arm 26 {for co op ration' with"contact 2') "3f( a?nd alug'2ofwhirhengages the stop 18 when the parts are in normal. positi n-as showngin ,tne drawing; rm 31 secur d to the sleeve 133 operates the contact 27:28 When-itheshaft .22 is moved to the extreme right-hand position (Fig. 6). The sleeve 33 also-carries an integral lug 52 which cooperates with. a stop 51 on'the bracket 13, and limitsthe rotation of the sleeve'33 in a clockwise direction. It will, therefore, be clear that when'the arm 31 is rotatedlclockwise until it operates contact 27 28, thlug 52 will engage the-stop 51 and will prevent-further rotation of the parts in this direction. The member 15 inthis form of the invention has 'a' sleeve portion 49 which'carries two integral lugs 17 and 50. The shaft'22 and the parts secured theretdare driven by a sprin as in Fig. l but the spring is omitted from igs. 5 and 6 for the sake of simplicity.

If it is desired to close the contact 27--28 andthen after a predetermined time interval to close "contact 2930, starting from the positionshown in Fig. 6, the knob 38 is ro= tated in a clockwise direction until lug 52 engages the stop 51 and arm '31 closes the contact 27--28.' During this movement the shaft 22 and the parts carried thereby .are driven by the engagement of lug with lug 26=.- The lug 17 will not engage the stop 19 during-this rotation because the memtoo ber 15 is in its left-hand position so that ratchet 16 engages the groove 16 As soon as the knob 38 is released, the cam and arms 26 and 31 commence to rotate in a counter clock-wise direction under the action of the spring which rotates shaft 22. During this rotation the cam 25 will close contact 35-36 and will hold it closed as long as the cam engages member 37 The rotation of the parts continues until lug 26 again engages stop 18 and arm 26 closes contact 2930.

If it is desired to close contact 3536 and after a time interval reclose contacts 29 and 30 the knob 38 is moved into its right hand position in which the ratchet 16 engages groove 16". WVhen the knob 38 is now moved in a clock-wise direction (Fig. 6) the rotation can continue only until lug 17 engages the stop 19, at which point the cam 25 will engage member 37 closing contact 36. lVhen the knob 38 is released the cam 25 and arms 26 and 31 will rotate in a counter clockwise direction opening contact 3536. The rotation of the parts will continue until after a time interval, lug 26 engages stop 18 and arm 26 closes contact 2930.

It will be obvious that by changing the relative positions of sleeves 2 1 and 33 the time intervals between the operations of contacts 2728 and 29-30 may be varied.

We have shown both forms of mechanism as provided with a knob 38 for hand operation but it will be understood that the device may equally well be operated by mechanical attachment to an interlocking machine.

Although we have herein shown and described only two forms of circuit controlling mechanisms embodying our invention it is obvious that various changes may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

l. A circuit controlling mechanism comprising two sets of contacts, a rotatable arm for operating one set of contacts and a cam for operating the other set, a stop member secured to the cam, a longitudinally movable member for engaging said stop and limiting the movement of the associated cam to operate one set of contacts or both sets of contacts in succession, according as said member is or is not in position to engage said stop.

2. A circuit controlling mechanism comprising two angularly displaced sets of contacts, a first and a second rotatable sleeve secured together, one having a cam for operating one set of contacts and the other an arm for operating the other set of cont-acts, a stop on the first sleeve, a longitudinally movable member carrying a lug for engaging the stop, and means for actuating the sleeves to operate the contacts associated with the cam when the member is in one position and to operate the two sets of contacts in succession when the member is in the other position.

3. A circuit controlling mechanism comprising two angularly spaced sets of contacts, a longitudinally movable two-position member having a lug thereon, a stop for engaging the lug when the member is in one of said positions only and rotatable actuating means for operating one set of contacts when the member is in such position that the lug engages the stop, but for operating the two sets of contacts in succession when the member is in the other position.

4. A circuit controlling mechanism com prising a casing, a plurality of sets of contacts within said casing, means for selectively operating said sets of contacts, and means outside of said casing for controlling the selection of the contacts to be operated.

5. A circuit controlling mechanism comprising a plurality of angularly displaced sets of contacts, rotatable means for selectively operating said sets of contacts, a longitudinally movable member having two lugs thereon, stationary means co-operating with one of said lugs for limiting the movement of the rotatable means and means cooperating with other lug for actuating the rotatable means.

6. A circuit. controlling mechanism comprising a plurality of angularly displaced sets of contacts, rotatable means for selectively operating said sets of contacts, a support, a member slidable in said support and having two lugs thereon, a stop on the support for engaging one of said lugs to limit the move ment of the rotatable means and a lug on the rotatable means for engaging the other lug to actuate the rotatable means.

7. A circuit controlling mechanism comprising a casing, a plurality or angularly displaced-sets of contacts within said casing, rotatable means for operating said sets of contacts, means for limiting the rotation of said operating means, and means outside of the casing for controlling the limiting means.

8. A circuit controlling mechanism comprising rotatable contact operating mcans including a lug, astationary support, a stop on said support, an enclosing casing, and means operable from outside the casing and slidable in said supportfor engaging said lug and said stop to limit the movement of the contact operating means.

9. A circuit controlling mechanism comprising rotatable contact operating means including a lug, a stationary support, a stop on said support, an enclosing casing, a member slidable in said support, means on said member for engaging said lug and said stop to control the amount of rotation of the contact operating means, and means operable from the outside of the casing for moving said member.

10. A circuit-controlling mechanism comprising acasing, plurality of angularly displaced sets of contacts Within said casing, rotatable means for operating said sets of contacts, 'a lug on the rotatable means, a stationary support, a member slidable in said support, a lug on said member, means for holding the member in either of two posi tions, and means operable from outside of the casing for causing the lug on said member to engage or not to engage the lug on the rotat'able means according as said member occupies one or the other of its positions.

11. A circuit controlling mechanism comprising a shaft biased to turn in one direction, a manually operable member co-acting with said shaft'to turn the shaft in the other direction, said member being capable of longitudinal motion With respect to said shaft, means responsive to variations in the'longitndinalposition of said member with respect to said shaft for varying the amount of movement ofthe shaft, and circuit controlling contactsgoverned by said shaft.

12. A circuit'controlling mechanism comprising-a shaft biased to t'urnin one direction, a manually operable member co-acting with said shaft to turn the shaft in the other direction, to a given position, said member being capable of longitudinal motion with re spect to saidsh'aft means responsive to variations in the longitudinal position of said member with respect to said shaft for varying the position to which the shaft returns under the influence of the biasing means, and circuit controlling contacts governed by said shaft.

'13. A circuit ntrolling mechanism coinprisi'ng a shaft biasedtc turn in one direc tion, a manually operable'member coo-acting With said shaft to turn the shaft in the other direction, saidmember being capable of longitudinal motion With respect to said shaft, means responsive to variations inthe longi= tudinal position of said member with respect 7 to said shaft for varying the position to Which said shaft may be turned by said member,

and circuit controlling contacts governed by said shaft. p

In testimony whereof We aflix our signatures. I

WILLIAM C, MQWYHIRTER.

JAMES E. SPEER. 

